Theme 2018

“For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 10:3-5 (NIV)

This Week’s Thought – December 31, 2017

Happy New Year 2018!

“Jesus returned to Galilee in the power of the Spirit, and news about him spread through the whole countryside.” Luke 4:14 (NIV)

If the approval of people is your test for success, you will live in a perpetual state of anxious uncertainty; but if you work/serve in the power of the Holy Spirit, you can rest assured that He is at work ahead of you, with you and after you—with or without words of affirmation from others.

The work of the Spirit quietly invades hearts, homes, churches, the workplace, the marketplace, etc. in a manner that rings glory to God, not to the servant of God. Success comes from an infusion of the Spirit’s power!

Jesus, fresh from His wilderness temptation experience that prepared Him physically, emotionally and spiritually, also confident from His heavenly Father’s validation and commissioning of ministry at His baptism—begins to teach, heal and serve in the power of the Spirit. The word was out around the countryside that the Word had become flesh and was speaking and living out the Word of God in a way they had never seen—with authority from the Lord for God’s glory!

“Yes, you know me, and you know where I am from. I am not here on my own authority, but he who sent me is true. You do not know him, but I know him because I am from him and he sent me.” (John 7:28-29)

What is your motivation for doing whatever it is that you do? Do you do things (whether for work, church, home, school, for others, etc., to be approved of and accepted by people (who are finicky in their feelings); or do you whatever it is that you might do resting in the reality of your heavenly Father’s faithful love and acceptance?

Be wise not to allow others to elevate you to a place of expected perfection, or to let the harsh judgers jettison you down to a place of shame. When you walk and operate in the power of the Holy Spirit, you are assured of the Almighty’s approval—He defines success.

Just as Jesus waited on the empowerment and preparation of the Holy Spirit before He served others, so we are called to do the same. Daily we die to our way of doing things, so nothing we do disappoints our heavenly Father. In prayer, we confess our sins of unbelief, fear and self-reliance and by faith we receive the fullness of the Holy Spirit, which produces the fruit of total trust, calm assurance and desperate dependence on God. Success is surrender to Spirit led living!

“For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live. For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.” (Romans 8:13-14)

As you look back and reflect on your past year and look ahead to the new year, may the blessing of peace rest upon you…the blessing of joy abide within you…the blessing of success and favor surround you…the blessing of love flow out through you. May all the blessings of the Lord be yours in abundance in the New Year!!

Application: Whose approval do you need to stop seeking and instead rest in the Lord’s approval?

Words from the Master during your time of reflection this week: “Trust Me one day at a time. This keeps you close to Me and responsive to My will. Trust is not a natural response, especially for those who have been deeply wounded. My Spirit within you is your resident Tutor, helping you in this supernatural endeavor. Yield to the Spirit’s gentle touch; be sensitive to His prompting. Exert your will to trust Me in all circumstances. Don’t let your need to understand distract you from My Presence. Trust Me one day at a time, starting today.” (Psalm 84:12: 1 Corinthians 6:19; Jeremiah 17:7; Matthew 6:34)

“And then God answered: “Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.” Habakkuk 2:2-3 (MSG)